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A friend of mine has never been very open to me talking to her about Christ and tonight that changed. She poured her heart out to me and began asking questions. She wants to know why Christ had to die and shed His blood. She said if God knows our heart and we ask His forgiveness,why would that have not been enough for Him? She seems to be really hung up on the blood. Can you help me answer her?

I have always thought of myself as a Christian but finally gave my life to Jesus in July this year. I lost my Dad in June and what hurt me most was not the fact that he died suddenly, but not being sure if his soul is in a comfortable place waiting for resurrection. It then occured to me that He attended a revival years ago and got saved. He later walked away from this path, got into deep depression, drank a lot and even considered suicide. 3 weeks before his death, he told my sister that if God does not take him away from this world soon, he would throw himself in a river. He died suddenly of a blood clot in the heart. To cut a long story short, I would like to know if by being saved years ago, he was still saved when he died. He believed and loved God.

I’m writing to you because you are the only person that can give me advice. I’m out of work, and I haven’t been able to get a job because, at my age, nobody wants to hire me. I’m waiting for my retirement funds, which are supposed to be due after my birthday, in six months. But, in the meantime, we have to live and, right now, my wife and I are going through a terrible economic crisis. So, out of desperation, I’m using all my prayers to ask the Lord for lottery money. As a born-again believer, sometimes I have the feeling I shouldn’t ask the Lord for money I didn’t work hard to get, but other times I think He is testing my faith. What should I do?

When we become believers and are sealed with God’s Spirit …is our conscience used by His Spirit to lead us and correct us?

One of my sons almost died when he was 5 due to extremely high fever which lasted 3 days. It affected his learning ability. He can learn but at an extremely slow pace. He says that what he has learned of the bible is from the preachers and me. He loves the Lord and is extremely faithful to Him. Recently someone he met told him that he had to read the bible himself or the word wasn’t his nor his salvation. Also that he should speak Hebrew. What kind of church has those beliefs and do you believe that is so? He is in his 50s and has led a Christian life for many years.

I have something of a personal issue – my history class is discussing the Crusades, and, naturally, the Catholics are being cast in a rather negative light. However, they are being labeled as Christians, which, while to us, would cause an issue, the non-Christians (or the uninformed) have no qualms about it.

To add to the issue, my teacher (who is Jewish, although to what degree of devoutness I’m not sure) tells the class that there were “only two branches of Christianity” back in those times, Catholic and Orthodox; thus, they should all be labeled as “Christians” as opposed to Catholics or Orthodox in particular.

So, my question is, how do I solve this problem without looking like I’m trying to convert the class? Due to the situation about the Catholics being so forward about their religion, it wouldn’t be a good time to come off as a pushy, self-righteous Christian.

Honestly, I grieve at the entire thing – what’s the solution?

Every picture of Jesus we see with long hair and beard. Was there any evidence found to this effect?

I’m an avid reader of your website and a firm believer in the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross. However, I’m confused on John chapter 15, where in verse 2 Jesus says, ” He (The Father) cuts off every branch in me (Jesus) that bears no fruit…” Then in verse 6, Jesus goes on to say, “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” This verse does not sound like a “fellowship” verse to me.

On the surface John 15:2 appears as a strong encouragement to the disciples to remain in fellowship with, or rather remain in Christ’s love. But what are the consequences of not remaining in His love? Do we lose our salvation?

I have been reading your articles, and have learned much from you. I co-teach a Men’s bible study every two weeks and this year we decided to study God’s word without using a study guide. My turn is coming up (probably be four sessions) I felt lead to study Psalm 91. I personally believe that this is God’s direct word of protection to and over me and my family. But, when faced with teaching and open discussion I know that the men will ask questions such as: Why do good Christian people get sick, hurt, and so on. What are your thoughts on this?

I have a question that will likely be easy for you to answer but I am going to ask anyway. In John, the man who ate with and saw Jesus says that no man has seen the face of God. In light of the fact that I have been taught that Jesus was fully man and fully God, how does John’s statement play out?